BDT Entering Into LTO LTFS Archive Solution

BDT Media Automation GmbH, OEM manufacturer of tape libraries, is expanding its product portfolio with an LTFS archive software solution.

The LTFS has been implemented with the tape standard LTO-5 in 2010 and lends new momentum in storage and archiving. BDT’s new solution Valuestor is a ready-to-use LTFS solution.

With this technology, the company wants to simplify the process of archiving to tape.

"Even users without tape or LTFS specific knowledge should be able to store their data on tape libraries with an LTFS-based system", explains Andreas Kleber, product manager at BDT.
 
The solution is a streamlined and alternative to existing solutions on the market.

CTO Friedhelm Steinhilber explains: "LTFS as a basic technology is still relatively complicated. Especially in terms of the usability. Therefore our focus is on improving the simplicity of application and creating a streamlined and flexible solution breaking down complex know-how barriers to users. With Valuestor we have developed a solution that enables the usage of tape libraries for long-term storage in a very user-friendly approach, while at the same time only using open industry standards. In this way, we can support any heterogeneous customer environment without modifications."
 
With its solution BDT is focusing on a minimum footprint of necessary functionalities which decreases the complexity and allows easy handling. The objective is to enable users the access to cost-effective tape storage media. Companies today are experiencing an exponential growth of data that may be rarely accessed but are still valuable. In this case the Valuestor solution is a less expensive and more environmentally friendly alternative to archiving than using expensive HDD storage systems.
 
Valuestor allows access to stored data on tape storage media and offers a new way of portability of LTO tapes. Data can be stored on tape libraries just as easily as with conventional disk-based NAS. The solution is based on the open LTFS standard for storage to tape. Since the system offers non-proprietary storage, it is compatible with existing applications and file managers.
 
Typical applications for the new LTFS solution are the archiving of large and unused data volumes, as well as the exchange of large data volumes. Whether it is the media and entertainment industry, healthcare or big data – all areas require reliable storage of a large amount of data, to reduce IT budgets, to enable flexible and easy exchange and access to data as well as ensure scalability.
 
Valuestor can be installed on a Linux server. The software stores data automatically and independently in the tape library in the background. As far as the user is concerned, saving and archiving of data is a simple drag and drop – just like to a folder directory within a network.
 
At the moment Valuestor supports the range of tape libraries manufactured by BDT. With a FlexStor 4U Library and LTO-6 tapes, storage capacities of up to 300TB are possible.
 
BDT is offering the Valuestor software as an OEM solution.